Montreal

[Updated July 2017]

Live

Plateau, Mont-Royal, and Mile-End are hip and local neighbourhoods which are central as well. Plateau is the closest south, towards downtown, and Mile-End is the most north of the 3, right before you hit Little Italy. Lots of students and artists live in the Plateau and Mont-Royal, whils Mile-End is a traditionally Jewish neighbourhood which the hipsters and tech/startups have infiltrated. Try finding accomodation via homegrown startup Sonder, or get $40 off your first Airbnb stay here.

Transport

Montreal’s subway system has won lots of awards, but I generally prefer the bus. If it’s rush hour you definitely want to opt for the “metro” to skip traffic.

You know the public bike share cities that more and more cities have? It (BIXI) originated in Montreal, New York, Chicago and several cities have adopted it and white labeled it e.g. “Citibikes”. I really enjoy getting around Montreal by bike, and it helps that they have quite a number of bike lanes! Note: BIXI is not available in the Winter, otherwise every last Sunday of the month they have Free BIXI Sundays.

Work

Cafe Osmo in the basement of Notman House, which is home to many startups.

Crew Collective & Cafe in the Old Port. A beautiful converted bank by the folks behind Crew and Unsplash, who have offices there as well. Very dark though.

Experience

Eat/Drink

Montreal bagels from St Viateur and/or Fairmount. There’s a massive rivalry here.. I say try both and decide for yourself 😉 Both of their original locations are on parallel streets in the Mile End; the 2 main streets in the Mile End which they’re named after. Open 24/7.

Poutine from La Banquise. They have all sorts of poutine – smoked meat poutine, vegan poutine.. Expect a line – even in the dead of Winter – if you head there right after the bars/clubs close. If you’re in pinch, Poutineville, Frite Alors, or even McDonalds could do as well.